Marrakesh Express by Crosby Stills and Nash

Marrakesh Express by Crosby Stills and Nash

Rock Music

The song “Marrakesh Express” was written by Graham Nash towards the end of his time as a member of The Hollies. The inspiration, Nash claims, was from his 1966 Moroccan vacation, where he traveled by train from Casablanca to Marrakesh. He started out his trip with a First Class seat, but did not find the passengers to be interesting, so he went through the other carriages of the train for more adventures. The ducks, pigs, and chickens mentioned in the song were, he says, there on the train. The Hollies felt that the song was not commercial enough for them. No matter, anyway, as by 1968, Nash joined David Crosby, formerly of The Byrds, and Steven Stills (formerly of the Buffalo Springfield) to form their supergroup Crosby Stills and Nash. (Neil Young, who was also with Buffalo Springfield, joined them later in 1969. They first released it on their 1969 album Crosby, Stills & Nash. Then, they released it as a single, and “Marrakesh Express” went to #28 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and #17 in the U.K. in 1969. The first public performance of “Marrakesh Express” was at the Woodstock Music Festival at around 3:00 a.m. on August 18, 1969.

Here are the lyrics for “Marrakesh Express” by Crosby Stills and Nash:

“Looking at the world through the sunset in your eyes
Traveling the train through clear Moroccan skies
Ducks and pigs and chickens call
Animal carpet wall to wall
American ladies five-foot tall in blue

Sweeping cobwebs from the edges of my mind
Had to get away to see what we could find
Hope the days that lie ahead
Bring us back to where they’ve led
Listen not to what’s been said to you

Wouldn’t you know we’re riding on the Marrakesh Express
Wouldn’t you know we’re riding on the Marrakesh Express
They’re taking me to Marrakesh
All aboard the train, all aboard the train

I’ve been saving all my money just to take you there
I smell the garden in your hair

Take the train to Casablanca going south
Blowing smoke rings from the corners of my mouth
Colored cottons hang in the air
Charming cobras in the square
Striped djellebas we can wear at home Well, let me hear you now

Wouldn’t you know we’re riding on the Marrakesh Express
Wouldn’t you know we’re riding on the Marrakesh Express
They’re taking me to Marrakesh

Wouldn’t you know we’re riding on the Marrakesh Express
Wouldn’t you know we’re riding on the Marrakesh Express
They’re taking me to Marrakesh
All on board the train, all on board the train
All on board”

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ commercial free online songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “Marrakesh Express” by Crosby Stills and Nash.